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retaliation.”
    â€œGreat. I’d rather they just beat me to death.”
    â€œDon’t make jokes like that,” he warned. “If your name was just discovered, it’s probably pretty hot right now. But I imagine the hype will die down eventually. Just wait it out. In the meantime, watch your back—not that you don’t already. Do the usual things. Keep your head clear. Stay armed at all times. Don’t drink.” He cut me a look. “Stay away from the peyote.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Come on, I haven’t done that in years.”
    He shrugged. “You’ve got something else to unload. I can see it in your eyes.”
    â€œWell…speaking of watching my back…”
    I stood up from the chair and took off the loose button-up shirt I wore over a tank top. I swept my hair aside and turned around so he could view my back.
    He gave a small grunt when he saw the scratches. “Those look nasty. You get in a fight today?”
    â€œThey’re from four days ago. They won’t heal.”
    â€œDo they hurt?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat gave them to you?”
    â€œNot sure. He looked human, but…I don’t know.” I let my hair drop and turned around, putting the shirt back on.
    â€œHow’d he get you at that angle and position?” Roland looked puzzled. “Were you wrestling?”
    â€œUh, that’s really not important,” I said hastily. “Have you ever seen anything like it?”
    â€œNot exactly, no, but I’ve seen enough to not think this is too out there. If there was enough magic or whatever used to inflict them, they may just take awhile to heal.”
    That didn’t really make me feel better, but I was unwilling to elaborate on my encounter with Kiyo.
    I took a deep breath. “There’s one more thing.”
    â€œI know. You’re going after the girl.”
    So much for my dramatic proclamation. “How’d you know?”
    â€œBecause I know you, Eugenie. You’re foolish and headstrong with a naive sense of righteousness. You’re like me.” Not sure if that was a compliment or not.
    â€œThen you understand.”
    He shook his head. “It’s still dangerous. And stupid. You cross in your own body and—”
    â€œAnd what?”
    We both looked up like guilty children. My mother stood in the doorway in a wide-brimmed hat and dirt-covered gloves, further evidence of her gardening. I had a few planters out in the rock garden that passed for my backyard, but she maintained a veritable oasis. Her long, slightly graying hair streamed down her back as she regarded us. Her hair lacked my reddish hue, and her eyes were just blue, not violet-blue. Otherwise, everyone said we looked alike. I wondered if I’d age like her. I hoped so, although I would probably dye any gray away.
    â€œWhat are you planning on doing, Eugenie?” she asked in a level tone.
    â€œNothing, Mom. Just hypothetical stuff.”
    â€œYou’re talking about going over there . I know what that means.”
    â€œMom—” I began.
    â€œDee—” Roland began.
    She held up a hand to stop us both. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it. Do you know how much I already worry about you in this world, Eugenie? And now you want to walk right into their homes? And you.” She turned on Roland, her eyes flashing. “I spent twenty years worrying about you. I’d lie awake, wondering which night would be the one you didn’t come home. I thanked God the day you retired, and now you’re encouraging her to—”
    â€œHey, whoa, he’s not telling me anything here. Leave him out if this if you want to thrash somebody. This is just me. He’s not involved.”
    Roland turned on me. “Eugenie, if you insist on going, I might as well go—”
    â€œMom’s right. Your fight’s done. This one’s mine.”
    My mom turned